The full extent of Charles’ friendship with Nancy had been known to very few

When Nancy’s own life was put under the microscope in a vicious warts-and-all biography in 1991, the Prince tried to comfort her with the words: ‘I know exactly the methods these dreadful people employ to create the maximum amount of controversy and conflict by making the wildest allegations so as to make the maximum amount of money.

“We live in an increasingly uncivilised world and if you happen to find yourself in a public position it becomes progressively more impossible to operate without every move being regarded as having an ulterior motive.”

As her husband Ronald’s health declined, he wrote: “I do feel for you so much and pray that the President’s condition isn’t making life too complicated for you.”

HAITI HORROR

In a condolence note following his death, he wrote he had “such fond and happy memories of those California days when we used to meet with the dear old Annenbergs”.

He continued: “I so wanted to write to say how much my heart goes out to you. I have minded so much for you ever since your husband became ill with that beastly Alzheimer’s as I can well imagine how soul-destroying it must be to be unable to do anything to help as the illness gradually drags your loved one into a separate world from which you are barred."

The remarks were made when the Prince's relationship to Diana fell apart

The Prince remembers: “Your husband was always incredibly kind to me and none more so than when we came to stay with you both in The White House in the 80s and you made us feel so marvellously welcome.
"I shall treasure his sense of humour which shone through everything he did. It was a rare gift and he put it to wonderful use.”